A Practical Guide to Poultry Lighting

© Hy-Line International

2016

A Practical Guide to Poultry Lighting

Ian Rubinoff, DVM, MPH, DACPV

Hy-Line International

Technical Services Veterinarian


Poultry biology

Understanding light

Measuring light

Impact of painting lights red

Lens dispersion and dimming

LED light overview

Choosing the right light

Outline


Human wavelength recognition

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%3

80

39

5

41

0

42

5

44

0

45

5

47

0

48

5

50

0

51

5

53

0

54

5

56

0

57

5

59

0

60

5

62

0

63

5

65

0

66

5

68

0

69

5

71

0

72

5

74

0

75

5

77

0


Fowl wavelength recognition

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%3

80

39

5

41

0

42

5

44

0

45

5

47

0

48

5

50

0

51

5

53

0

54

5

56

0

57

5

59

0

60

5

62

0

63

5

65

0

66

5

68

0

69

5

71

0

72

5

74

0

75

5

77

0


Comparison

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%3

80

39

5

41

0

42

5

44

0

45

5

47

0

48

5

50

0

51

5

53

0

54

5

56

0

57

5

59

0

60

5

62

0

63

5

65

0

66

5

68

0

69

5

71

0

72

5

74

0

75

5

77

0


Lux versus clux

The International Commission on Illumination (CIE) standard for measuring light intensity is set at the peak human response

Humans only have one photopic spectral peak that is calculated between 550 – 560 nm.

Chickens have 3 photopic spectral peaks (around 480, 560, and 625 nm); therefore some additional calculations are required.

Depending on the light source and peak spectrum, there can be a 50% or greater difference between the lux and clux.


Basic Physiological effects of light:

1. Facilitate sight

- Food search

2. Stimulate Internal Cycles

- Circadian- day length changes

3. Initiate and regulate hormone release

- Metabolic regulation: fat & muscle deposition

- Reproduction

- Calcium, phosphorus, and bone formation

Poultry biology


Poultry biology Reception:

1. Retinal

- Cone photoreceptors

- Visual perception

- Dopamine & UV-A ↔

melatonin

2a. Pineal “Soul gland”

- Photoreceptors (>4 lux)

- Circadian clock: serotonin and

melatonin

2b. Hypothalamic Sexual Maturity

- Deep encephalic photoreceptor

- Sexual hormones

2a.

2b.


Spectral transmission into the hypothalamus in birds

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

380 430 480 530 580 630 680 730 780


Spectral transmission into the hypothalamus in birds

Wavelength (nm) Quail Sparrow Pigeon Ducks

Violet (400-435) 0.013 0.018 0.275

Blue (435-500) 0.023 0.055 0.098 0.027

Green (500-565) 0.020 0.067 0.113 0.096

Yellow (565-600) 0.090 0.135 0.158 0.244

Orange (600-630) 0.271 0.280 0.410

Red (650) 1.000 1.000 1.000 1.000

Red (700) 2.927 11.681

Transmission relative to red (650 nm)


Poultry physiology

Wavelength differences

Ultraviolet A-B light

Vitamin D conversion, calcium and phosphorus

metabolism, bone formation, immune system, blood

pressure and circulation, muscle development

Visual light

Birds have 4 types of single-cone photoreceptors

and tetra-chromatic color vision

A 5th single-cone is luminance based for motion

detection

Infrared light

Perceived as heat

© Hy-Line International © Hy-Line International

Understanding light


Basic Concepts

Light

Portion of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Radiation

Ultra Violet (UV)

Visible

Infra red (IR)

Light Environment: Duration e.i., Photoperiod, Day length

Luminance e.i., Intensity

Wavelength e.i., Color


Electromagnetic spectrum

Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons


Chromaticity is a method to measure the relative warmness or coolness of light

Expressed in degrees of Kelvin

Was originally developed for incandescent lights

>4000K - cool

3500 – 3600 K – neutral and balanced

<3000K - warm

Chromaticity


Luminous Flux

Luminous flux – the total emitted visible

light from a bulb, measured in lumens

Source Gigahertz-Optik LED Tester Data Sheet


Luminous Intensity

Luminous intensity (directional flux) –

quantifies the luminous flux emitted by a

light source in a certain direction,

measured in candelas or candles

Source Gigahertz-Optik LED Tester Data Sheet


100 lumen

100 lux 1 m2

Illuminance Power

Illuminance power – the luminous flux

per area illuminated by the light,

measured in lux or foot candles (fc). The

calculation is 1 lux = 1 lumen/m2 or 1 lux

= 0.0929 fc (lumen/m2).

10 lux 10 m2

100 lumen


Light measurement

Light meters are used to measure lux or

foot candle

1 fc = 10.76 lux or 1 lux = 0.0929 fc

Equals conversion between 1 ft2 and 1 m2

All light meters are not created equal

Traditional light meters only take into account

peak human vision at around 555 nm

Animal specific light meters can calculate the full

spectrum vision

Good light meters are scientific instruments and

are priced accordingly!


Measuring LED light intensity

Traditional light meters cannot be used to measure LED lights accurately in a poultry house

Most light meters are calibrated for visible light at a "white" color temperature, usually ~2800K and most closely associated with ~550-560nm wavelengths.

Traditional light meters do give a rough indication of light intensity.

Traditional light meters are still useful for assessing the difference in light intensity between different areas


Measuring LED’s

light intensity Ideal LED light meters can

be poultry or LED specific

Poultry spectrometers

Once and Hato

Provide lux and clux reading

Also gives CCT, CRT, λp

LED spectrometers

Used by professional photographers

Gives readings for CCT, CRI, Lux, λp (peak wavelength)

Does not give clux, but this can be roughly assessed based on observing the spectrum


Spectrometer reading


Spectra of different light sources


Sunlight at noon

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Sunlight at dawn

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Incandescent

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Cool CFL (5000K)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Warm CFL (2700K)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Cool LED (5000K)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Warm LED (2700K)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


ONCE Innovations

LED

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

360 410 460 510 560 610 660 710 760


Colored curtains


Painting bulbs red


Painting bulbs red

Many producers paint bulbs red as tool

to dim light and/or prevent pecking

What is the actual effect of painting a

bulb red?


Dimming effect of red paint

127 28

108 12

93 19

90 26

123 25

92 38

95 28

0 50 100 150

CFL1 2700KCFL1 2700K painted

CFL1 5000KCFL1 5000K painted

INC1 2750KINC1 2750K painted

LED1 2700KLED1 2700K painted




Lux


Dimming effect of red paint

Lux Painted red % dim CFL1 2700K 127 28 78% CFL1 5000K 108 12 89% INC1 2750K 93 19 80% LED1 2700K 90 26 71% LED1 5000K 123 25 80% LED2 2700K 92 38 59% LED2 5000K 95 28 71% CFL1 2700K 127 28 78% CFL1 5000K 108 12 89%


Incandescent

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

3.5

4.0

360 454 544 630 711

Full light Red light


Compact fluorescent

0.0

1.0

2.0

3.0

4.0

5.0

6.0

360 454 544 630 711



Cool LED 5000K

0.0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

2.5

3.0

360 454 544 630 711



Painting bulbs red Red paint creates significant dimming

58 – 88% in this experiment

Does not provide uniform dimming

Red paint blocks almost all blue, green, and yellow spectrum

The level of spectrum cutoff depends on the paint used

This paint was around 600 – 620 nm

Red paint does not create any new red spectrum

Only utilizes the red spectrum already available but at a lower intensity

Installing dimmable lights can accomplish a very similar effect to painting with no extra labor or new bulb cost


LED dimming and lens dispersion


Dimming LED lights

Dimmers need to be compatible with the specific LED lights installed

Incompatible dimmers may cause LED lights to flicker, overheat, or burn out more quickly

Incandescent and LED dimmers both operate similarly; however, LED dimmers must have greater control of wattage output

The main reason for the difference in dimmer compatibility is the filament in an incandescent light source is a simple resistor


Dimming LED lights

LED light do not have a resistive filament, and by design are complex loads

A good LED dimmer will have resistance built into the dimmer to control the output of electricity to ensure consistent performance when dimmed

LED lights maintain efficiency when dimmed, and may also increase the bulb life.


Lens dispersion Understand the difference in bulb directionality

180o bulb very different than an 30o bulb

Lights with high level of light dispersion

CFL, incandescent

Directionality can be useful or detrimental depending on the intended purpose

Directional bulbs can save energy by focusing light where needed

Bulb directionality matters in both cage and floor houses

Floor – spotlighting, floor eggs

Cage – cages that are too dark or too bright


Light dispersion


Light dispersion

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

220

240

260

280

Lux

Under (1) Diagonal (2)Light bulb

10'

8'

6' (1) (2)


Light dispersion in cages


Light dispersion in cages

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

Light 1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Light 2

Illu

min

ance

po

we

r (l

ux/

clu

x)

Distance between lights (feet)

lux top lux bottom


LED Benefits Full spectrum light

Most efficient light bulb measured in lumens per watt

Low infrared radiation (heat)

Non-glass materials allow for manufacture from waterproof

and shatterproof materials

Spectrum can be shifted

Easier to dim than CFL bulbs

Typically manufactured from non-toxic materials

Long lifespan – up to 10 years @ 16 hrs (50,000 – 60,000

hours)

Rapidly reaches peak light intensity after being turned on

Ideal for areas where lights are turned on and off frequently

Able to be used in cold weather


LED Shortcomings Expensive – current poultry specific LED lights may cost $20 - $35 per bulb.

General LED lights run $2 - $15

Correct dimmer must be used otherwise the light may flicker and burn out more quickly

Not all LED’s have a good lens to diffuse the light in all directions

The lack of sufficient light diffusion may cause dramatic changes in light intensity at the feeder if lights are placed too far apart

4 m centers may be too far apart for most LED lights, 2 m or 3 m centers are more ideal


Types of LED bulbs General

Available at online and in hardware stores

Becoming less expensive

Not created for usage in agriculture environments

Some may not be warrantied for agriculture use

Typical warm and cool spectra

Poultry specific Good technical support

Good track record of installation

Designed to meet electric codes in barns

Great warranties for light performance

Most expensive


Return on investment Estimated

Light type# Lights Watt/ Bulb

Hour/ day

use

Energy cost

kW/hr ($)Cost per

bulb ($)

LED 165 8 16 0.15€ 7.00€

CFL 165 13 16 0.15€ 1.50€

Incandescent 165 60 16 0.15€ 1.00€

Other

Operation plus bulb cost ROI

Bulb LED CFL INC Other

Install bulb cost 1,155.00€ 247.50€ 165.00€ -$

Yearly energy cost 1,156.32€ 1,879.02€ 8,672.40€

ROI for LED* 16 months

Estimated


Hour/ day

use

Energy cost

kW/hr ($)Cost per

bulb ($)

LED 165 8 16 0.30€ 7.00€

CFL 165 13 16 0.30€ 1.50€

Incandescent 165 60 16 0.30€ 1.00€

Other






Estimated


Hour/ day

use

Energy cost

kW/hr ($)Cost per

bulb ($)

LED 165 8 16 0.15€ 3.00€

CFL 165 13 16 0.15€ 1.50€

Incandescent 165 60 16 0.15€ 1.00€

Other



Install bulb cost 495.00€ 247.50€ 165.00€ -$



Estimated


Hour/ day

use

Energy cost

kW/hr ($)Cost per

bulb ($)

LED 165 8 16 0.15€ 20.00€

CFL 165 13 16 0.15€ 1.50€

Incandescent 165 60 16 0.15€ 1.00€

Other







What bulb should I choose? Great question!

Depends on available capital

Building a new farm, renovating, or only retrofitting

What kind of housing system Barn, aviary, colony, enrichable cage, traditional cage

Understand that LED light technology is rapidly improving

Quality will improve and cost will decrease in the coming years


Regardless of bulb… Be aware of the specifics of the bulb chosen

Lumen output, spectrum, test the bulb in the house first if possible

Invest in a proper dimmer LED’s are computer chips and need surge protection

Think long term

For laying hens, use a 2700K - 3500K bulb to help ensure red spectrum availability

For pullets, either warm or cool bulbs can be used

Space the bulbs appropriately to minimize shadows or excessively bright areas


Date post:	11-Sep-2021
Category:	Documents
Upload:	others
View:	1 times
Download:	0 times

A Practical Guide to Poultry Lighting

Documents